I've never been a dog person. The last dog we owned was when I was about 4 years old.
Here I am on the tricycle with mom, my brother and our dog, Jimmy. I like dogs, but just not as comfortable with them. Art on the other hand owned three dogs and has always loved them.
After reading The Art of Racing in the Rain about a philosophical dog who loves his master and is sure that he will be reincarnated as a human, I was determined to spend more time talking with my granddog, Mungo.
About 10 years ago, my son, Keola named their new rescued dog Mungo after the Scottish explorer, Mungo Park. Our son and his wife, Sarah were Peace Corps Volunteers in Mali, West Africa.
This is from Wikipedia:
Mungo Park (11 September 1771 – 1806) was a Scottish explorer of West Africa. After an exploration of the upper Niger River around 1796, he wrote a popular and influential travel book titled Travels in the Interior Districts of Africa in which he theorized the Niger and Congo merged to become the same river. He was killed during a second expedition, having successfully traveled about two-thirds of the way down the Niger.
Keola and Sarah adopted Mungo when they were living in New Mexico. These photos were taken when Mungo was about two years old. Mungo had apparently been mistreated by a man, possibly wearing a hat and glasses. We knew this because Mungo would always growl threateningly at any man, particularly a man wearing glasses and a hat. Art could not enter a room without Mungo barking and growling at him. Mungo accepted Keola but loves Sarah with all his heart.
When our grandson, JD was born, Mungo adopted him as part of the family.
I tended to ignore Mungo, but he seemed to feel safe with me, while Art had to bribe him with doggy treats to allow him entry. Mungo would brush against me for attention or look to me to let him out to use the bathroom. If Sarah was not at home, Mungo would grudgingly allow Art to take him out for a walk.
However, after all these years, finally... finally when we arrived in Maryland, Mungo let Art into the house without a treat and without a single growl. He let Art take him out for walks and seemed happy to be with him.
I spent a lot more time sitting and talking to him. I stroked his head and looked into his quizzical eyes. I realized that he was getting quite old and I wondered if he understood that we were also aging like him.
It was soon time for us to leave. We packed our things and got ourselves ready to depart the following morning.
Late that evening, when I went to use the bathroom, I was met by a surprising sight. Mungo always slept between Keola and Sarah's bedroom and the grandsons' bedroom.
But on this, our last night, there was Mungo outside our bedroom. (It was dark, but I lightened the photo so he is visible.)
He looked up at me and I told him goodbye.
Well... maybe I'm still not a real dog person, but I am a Mungo person.
I love dogs and cats but are not allowed to have either in this apartment
ReplyDeleteSuch a nice story of Mungo. What breed of dog is he?
ReplyDeleteMungo was adopted from a shelter and as far as anyone knows, he’s what we call a poi dog in Hawaii. He’s a mixed breed that I can tell you sheds a lot. What surprises me is that he likes to sometimes be outside almost all day even when it’s quite cold.
DeleteThis was so enjoyable to read. Mungo is a beautiful dog. The picture of Mungo sleeping outside of your door was so sweet. He is mature dog now, maybe a senior. My husband and I have had 4 dogs in the 45 years that we have been married. All of them lived to an old age, 12 years, 14 years, and 13 years. Two of those dogs we had at the same time. Our little
ReplyDeleteFuzzy Pomeranian that we have now is 16 years old.
He has always loved and been very protective of our grandson. When our grandson was a baby, Fuzzy would lay right beside him and guard his crib. Our grandson is 9 years old now and will soon be 10. Fuzzy knows our grandson smells like that same little baby, but he sometimes seems like he is looking at our grandson and trying to understand what happened to that little baby. Fuzzy looks our grandson up and down, I suppose wondering why he is so big now.
Mungo looks like such a good dog, it is no wonder that you are a Mungo person.
Dogs can be an important part of our lives - if we let them. However, they are a lot of work, tie you down with caring for them responsibilities and travelling or spontaneous trips are usually not an option. However, the unconditional love that they give more than makes up for the inconveniences they might bring to a schedule. I know that when Bennie (he is now 11-12) finally leaves this world, it will be like losing a member of the family, because he has become family and more sometimes. We do spoil him, but he spoils us.
ReplyDeleteRacing in the Rain was such a cool book and I am glad you made the extra effort with Mungo. Seems that you got through to him and he was letting you know that you had.
ReplyDeleteTears in my eyes you write heartfelt stories Kay.
ReplyDeleteHe is a very handsome dog. Glad he's learned to trust you and Art.
ReplyDeleteI am a big dog person. I do not have a dog now because of all the tick diseases in our area, but we do grand-dog sit.
ReplyDeleteWho's to know what goes on in a dog's mind? But I'm glad he finally accepted Art, and finally won you over!
ReplyDeleteAh dogs...I'm not a dog or cat person but some animals have a way about them...lol!
ReplyDeleteI love both dogs and cats but have only owned cats over the years. Then a quarter of a century ago I married my husband, who doesn't like animals in the house, so I consider my partner to be my current pet! He is very well behaved and has certainly captured my heart. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou certainly had Mungo figured out and I think he got to know you too.
ReplyDeleteIn some of Martha Grimes' murder mysteries -- Inspector Jury -- there is a dog named Mungo. He's a very smart dog.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet! So glad all the men had patience with Mungo. I loved the movie the Art of Racing in the Rain. It's amazing how dogs know to treat the new baby so gently.
ReplyDeleteAt the time I brought my son home, my "poi" dog sat between the baby and any company who came to visit, even folks she'd known for years! We had to reassure her it was ok. She seemed to brag that it was "her" baby and company better be nice! She even slept under his crib at night.
How nice that your family could give Mungo a much better life.
Linda in Kansas
I hope he has more years ahead of him. He’s about 12 years old now which is pretty old I’m told.
DeleteI love dogs, but our house isn't really suited for a new puppy.
ReplyDeleteOh, so sweet! Dogs are unconditional love. I am glad he started accepting Art - shows what a smart dog he is!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderfully heartwarming post, Kay. I enjoyed reading about you and Mungo. You have a friend for life now, dogs are super loyal.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Happy Friday, Kay!
This is a very sweet post, Kay. We had dogs when I was growing up on the farm. Our cats were barn cats. As an adult we have only had cats, all of which were well loved. I like dogs as long as they live with someone else. :-)
ReplyDeleteA grand dog, in every sense of the word. I also must say, you have changed little from the tricycle girl. How do you stay so young?!
ReplyDeleteHow I miss my little dog Bo who died a few years ago.....This post really touched my heart.
ReplyDeleteThat's so sweet!
ReplyDeleteWe have rescue cats, and heaven knows what they went through after being dumped in the woods until their rescues.
Awww this is a lovely post, both to read and look at, such lovely photographs.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan